Bathgate to Crawford

This was heading out through the lowlands which is a misnomer if ever there was one. It did coincide with Kate Bush's re-emergence as a number one with her "running up the hill" which made a aptly named theme tune for today. However before setting off Pegasus had problems with her gears. (probably got my genders muddled here but Pegasus must be a mare for my demographic means of transport are female being fickle in how efficient they are from day to day.) Having taken my time over breakfast partly due to how timely it was in being served the rain had not subsided and I decided not to attempt the fine tuning myself I rode off to the only cycle shop in Bathgate only to find that it was closed. Now I could remember in the day how to adjust a Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub gear but the Shimino modern 7 x hub gear seemed a bit daunting. A quick search on you tube and a nicely narrated guide from a Dutch Cyclist demonstrated an idiot proof way of tuning the gear change.Ten minutes later I was on my way with a fully functioning gear set again. The rain was fairly relentless for first couple of hours not torrential but thoroughly wetting. I gave up with Google maps cycling directions as the cycle oaths were not up to the standard of the Highlands. The Garmin route did actually take me in A roads but mainly on B roads so was preferable. When the wind got up the rain stopped but obeying the constant rule of cycling - wind is always head on immaterial of direction travelled. The route took me through more productive agrictural land with beef production as well as sheep evident and cerial arable farming. My accommodation this evening was more to my taste with less pretension, having to clear bits of a dismantled car to make room for my bike. My room had everything necessary including a wee dram! The next big surprise was the only place to eat was a truck stop 2 doors along the road. I had a very reasonably priced roast pork with veg which for the first time on my trip was not cooked a la 1950's. Then the host produced a very acceptable red wine and excelled himself with cheese to rival anything I have had in recent memory. I canrecommend this for anyone e travelling to Scotland from the southwest for a meal stop or overnight campervan stop. Contact:

phil@theheatherghyll crawford